Prowler vs Viper prices?

[james97gts]

I originally posted this over on the gawk factor thread but moved it over here.
It seems to me that prowlers get a lot of gawk for the price factor. I still think vipers beat it, but for the price I'd say the Prowler. Also what is the price of Prowlers? I always thought they were mid-to high 30's. I looked them up to see what used ones were going for and they were mid-to high 30's. Some were even low 40's. Something didn't make sense. I didn't they held there value that well. I know they don't make them any more so thats a factor, but why do original vipers and GTS's drop so much when they don't make them any more either. Going from the Prowler case of used 1998 for 38k shouldn't a 1998 Viper GTS go for around 60k. The prowler only took a few grand hit so shouldn't the viper also? Thanks

 

[Gerald Levin]

I have to behave as I'm rather new and there are an abundance of Prowler owners here, but I would guess that there are many here that believe that there is no comparison between the prowler and the viper. In fact, the last 2 instances I saw prowlers with friends, both friends commented that they did not like the car. What I am trying to say is that some people don't like the prowler but I dont think the same holds true with the viper. JMHO.

 

[VIPERCANE]

I have both........my SC GTS w/its blue/white stripes draw alot of attention with all crowds........the black Prowler draws alot of attention from the honeys (I think it is the blue and white Viper/Snake logo on the bumper that draws the attention to the car....at least that is what I tell my wife). That is what we have noticed.

Anybody interested in buying a 99 black Prowler???

 

[Daffy Duck Viper]

Personally, I love the looks of the Prowler. Another thing going for them is all the aftermarket mods you can do to them, making them all the more fun. I will certainly have one in my collection. They are too neat to pass up. I was major bummed when they discontinued them.

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

 

[WPG]

The Prowler is a modern classic. I chose the Prowler over a Viper because it did (and still does) not look like anything else on the road. It does not matter that the Prowler will not set any land speed records as it was made to be a cruiser. That is what I believe makes the car such a draw. Because it is a driveable piece of automotive of art, it does not need to do sub 12 second quarter mile passes to be appreciated. I love the looks of the pre-2003 Vipers, but would not trade a Prowler for a Viper.

As for the prices of Prowlers, I think there will be some surprises as to what they may be worth. There are only so many of them and when the supply dries up, the principles of economics will become more prevalent.

 

[DodgeViper01]

What are you asking for the black prowler and how any miles are on it? Any mods?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I love Prowlers but I have a hard time getting past the extremely poor performance. Looking at them is great but the drive was VERY disappointing. That's not to say they weren't well built or that DC (Plymouth) didn't deliver what they promised. I just would have loved to see a V8 in them, some tighter turning and a six-speed.

Lack of performance is the only bad thing I can say about them. If they would have come with a V8 I'll bet they couldn't have built them fast enough. I would have definitely bought one. Still might someday. I think the prices will rise well.

 

[jason427]

I have had both. PROWLERS are cheap right now. I got mine at auction about three months ago. BRAND NEW, open MSO. Dealership had it on their showroom for two years and could not sell it. The sticker was in the 46k range I think. I got it for 33k. Not bad for a new (orange pearlcoat) prowler.

The car looked AWESOME! Inside and out. It looked like a 10 sec. car standing still.

The car was NO VIPER!!! Not the best handling, and slow. For the engine it had I guess it was ok... maybe high 14's on a cold night.

The main thing is that there was absolutely no storage. I tried putting a brief case in the shallow trunk and it would not close. It was very narrow inside as well. Hard to get out without raking your feet down the side sills. Especially passengers who are not used to the car.

I think the bad points would not seem so bad if it had about 100 more horsepower.

If I had big $$$ I would buy another one just cause they look so [******] cool, but I can only have a couple of toys at a time.

Im done.

Jason

 

[DodgeViper01]

The Prowler is awesome but I would not own one. They just seem to be even more unpratical than the Viper if that is even possible.

 

[Snakester]

I had originally considered getting a Prowler instead of a Gen I Viper. They are both cool looking and unique show cars that made it into production.
The Prowler was pretty peppy, and it's pedestrian drivetrain would always be easy and affordable to maintain.

Both the GenI Vipers and Prowlers have a bad reputation as to ride comfort, and daily usability, but again the nod goes to the Prowler here.

Plus with various supercharger and N20 setups, you could actually have a car that was faster than a Mustang.

Ultimately, the bottom line for me was that the Prowler looked fast, and the Viper was truly fast.
Nobody is going to ever compare a Prowler with a Ferrari 360, Porsche 996TT, or Lamborghini Murcielago.

I think that the Viper's have historically held their value VERY well over the years, but one side effect of the certificate program for the SRT-10 Viper was that 98% of the current GenI/GenII Viper owners would have to sell their Vipers to buy the new model. And that forced a temporary glut by having more than 10% of the earlier Vipers suddenly on the market, needing to sell (on top of the regular sellers), which has driven the prices down short-term.

The Prowler production just ended, without a new replacement model ever likey to be produced, so they have relatively held their value. But if you consider the outrageous mark-ups that were being asked ($60K-75K) for the Prowlers, the current $28K-$40K price is a pretty good deal.

-Dean.

 

[MichaelP]

I agree. When I first saw a Prowler I LOVED it.

Then I checked the specs and was like WHAT?

It would be like having a cafe racer looking bike and it being slow as hell. What is the point.

 

[Doc.]

I sold my 2000 Prowler 6 months ago and I've been looking for a replacement every since then. The cars are not in the same league as the Viper performance wise but they are way cool. There are times when I just want to cruise and not pay as much attention to driving as you have to when you drive the Viper. I gave 48,000 for my prowler new and sold it for 30,000 in mint condition with 2400 miles on it. Goes to show you that you can find good deals if you look hard enough. Most of the prowlers for sale with high numbers though are not selling. I think a lot of prowlers were bought as speculation vehicles and that these sellers have to much in them to give them away so the prices ASKED are still pretty high. But the prices SOLD don't look as optimistic. When I can get back into one for close to what I got out of my last one for I'll make space in the garage. If I had to choose though(and I did) I'd take the Viper.